“It is well known that August has a special significance for us. This month, we organize our most significant event, the Laleli Fashion and Shopping Festival, where Laleli takes its place on the world fashion stage, showcasing the latest trends with spectacular shows in its advanced and modern infrastructure. We are excited, proud, happy, and hopeful for Laleli. I am sure that you also share these feelings. Organizing such a powerful festival is indeed the greatest testament to this unity of belief. While time may age everything, through this spirit of unity, we are reborn every day and become stronger. Our region, which has been evolving for decades and adapting to changes harmoniously, is now ahead of its time, shaping the era. This festival has become the seal of this reality.
On this day, where Laleli will be the sole voice and breath, it is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate how far we have come, to show that we are the dynamo of Turkey in the field of textiles with our mission and vision. Laleli, the world’s largest open-air trade center, takes pride in offering new commercial opportunities to all its guests with its proximity to tourist destinations, ease of transportation, safe shopping facilities, and changing face. In this sense, our festival represents the reflected image of the great panorama we possess. As those who truly experience Laleli, we invite everyone to join us in this picture and hope to live this unique beauty together.
This festival, initially proposed as an idea and institutionalized with your support, has become an event where all eyes will turn to Laleli. Our visitors, coming from different regions of our country and many countries around the world, will want to explore Laleli in every aspect. At this point, our regional companies have a significant role to play. I have no doubt that they will act with their usual sensitivity and finesse, providing the necessary care and dedication to our guests who know and recognize us, as well as to new friends who will meet us for the first time, both locally and internationally. To sustain our growth and development as Laleli, we must diversify our customer profile. This is not just a choice but a necessity. While world giants and advanced markets struggle, our ability to undertake such large projects depends on our values and traditions from the past. The understanding that values the customer, seeing them as a precious blessing, is embedded in our genes and centuries-old commercial history. Only by internalizing this reality can we carry this festival into the future. Hundreds of organizations have been forgotten and relegated to the dusty pages of history in the corridors of the past. Collaborations that are embraced and thoroughly lived by their members can still survive today. I believe that this festival will remain vibrant even after years, continuing to strengthen our region by diversifying its colors and patterns every year.
It should be remembered that the formation and strengthening of this power are hidden in these two words: Unity and Togetherness. If we adopt these two words as our motto from the past to the present and into the future, I am convinced that there is no task we cannot accomplish or overcome.
Before concluding my words, I sincerely salute and express my gratitude to our esteemed president, Mr. Mustafa Demir, for his belief in us and great support. I extend my heartfelt thanks and respect to the distinguished executives of our launch and media sponsor, Garanti Bank, to our valuable festival commission and association staff, who work day and night tirelessly, and to our friends and sponsors who have always supported us, never left us alone, and provided strength. I wish everyone a successful festival, hoping that it brings goodness to our country and Laleli.
Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca.”
